Western Slope Honor Flight WWII veteran Charles Campbell is greeted by well-wishers from across a barbed wire fence at Grand Junction Regional Airport. The 113 veterans returned from a trip to the capitol to see the World War II Memorial.

Photo by Dean Humphrey

Two high school bands and The Centennial Band played during the vets’ return to the city.

Photo by Dean Humphrey

Morning light illuminates the line of vets and volunteers waiting to board.

Photo by Dean Humphrey

Photo by Dean Humphrey

Not all guardians like to fly.

Photo by Dean Humphrey

Photo by Dean Humphrey

Dennis McKee, the US Airways charter coordinator, volunteers on his days off to help with the Honor Flights. He has gone on 47 flights, flying nearly 5,000 vets.

Photo by Dean Humphrey

Photo by Dean Humphrey

Photo by Dean Humphrey

Photo by Dean Humphrey

Photo by Dean Humphrey

At Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Bill Newberry takes in the scene.

Photo by Dean Humphrey

Photo by Dean Humphrey

WWII vet Carl Medvesk, center, said this was the best time he’s had in his life.

Photo by Dean Humphrey

Joe Booker of the Western Slope Honor Flight salutes the Iwo Jima Memorial in Washington D.C.

Photo by Dean Humphrey

Another salute at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Photo by Dean Humphrey

The Iwo Jima statue in Washington D.C. draws the crowds.

Photo by Dean Humphrey

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Photo by Dean Humphrey

Two area vets with the Western Slope Honor Flight walk along the WWII monument built in their honor.

Photo by Dean Humphrey

Photo by Dean Humphrey

Photo by Dean Humphrey

Photo by Dean Humphrey

An Honor Flight vet takes in the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Wall.

Photo by Dean Humphrey

The Korean War Veterans Memorial. These WWII vets know that freedom is not free.

Photo by Dean Humphrey

Photo by Dean Humphrey

Photo by Dean Humphrey

Photo by Dean Humphrey

Everyone arrived for the flight.

Photo by Dean Humphrey

A picture before the trip.

Photo by Dean Humphrey

A few jokes were exchanged during the flight.

Photo by Dean Humphrey

Photo by Dean Humphrey

The Gilbert Family greets Arthur Gilbert in Baltimore.

Photo by Dean Humphrey

The Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Photo by Dean Humphrey

One of the vets salutes at the Iwo Jima Memorial.

Photo by Dean Humphrey

Leaving Baltimore Washington International airport.

Photo by Dean Humphrey

Photo by Dean Humphrey

Senator Bob Dole greets the vets.

Photo by Dean Humphrey

Photo by Dean Humphrey

From more than 30,000 feet, a view of what appears to be Nebraska.

Photo by Dean Humphrey

Pershing Reece looks at his packet, called the Last Mail Call. Community members, family and children wrote letters to the vets.